Carrot’s Facts

CARROTS CAN PREVENT CANCER

Beta-carotene consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of several cancers, notably lung cancer. British researchers discovered that increasing beta-carotene consumption from 1.7 to 2.7 milligrams per day reduced lung cancer risk by more than 40 percent. The average carrot contains about three milligrams of beta-carotene. In a separate study, researchers found that eating fiber-rich carrots reduce the risk of colon cancer by as much as 24 percent. Another study shows that women who ate raw carrots were five to eight times less likely to develop breast cancer than women who did not eat carrots. Further research into the application of both carrots and beta-carotene in relation to other forms of cancer is ongoing.

IT HAS CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS

Carrots contain a variety of antioxidants and polyacetylenes which, together, provide a protective shield to the heart. Studies have shown that the consumption of foods high in carotenoids lowers the risk of heart disease. Besides being extremely rich in beta-carotene, carrots also contain alpha-carotene and lutein. The regular consumption of carrots protects your heart from oxidative damage, plaque formation, and bad cholesterol elevation. This is because they contain soluble fibers which bind with bile acids.

IT CONTROLS BLOOD PRESSURE

Next time you start getting riled up about something and your blood begin to boil, eat a carrot! Carrots are rich sources of potassium, which is a vasodilator and can relax the tension in your blood vessels and arteries, thereby increasing blood flow and circulation, boosting organ function throughout the body and reducing the stress on the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is also directly linked to atherosclerosis, strokes, and heart attacks, so this is yet another heart-healthy aspect of carrots! The coumarin found in carrots also has been linked to reducing hypertension and protecting your heart health!

CARROTS ARE VERY HELPFUL DURING PREGNANCY

Carrots are particularly helpful during pregnancy as they aid in the proper development of the fetus and reduce the risk of fatal infections and miscarriage. The regular consumption of carrots is known to help in the production of breast milk and improve its quality.

IT BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Carrots contain a number of antiseptic and antibacterial abilities that make it ideal for boosting the immune system. Not only that, carrots are a rich source of vitamin C, which stimulates the activity of white blood cells and is one of the most important elements in the human immune system.

VERY HELPFUL IN MACULAR DEGENERATION

This is a common eye disease of the elderly that impairs the function of the macula. Research has found that people who ate the most amount of beta-carotene had a forty percent lower risk of macular degeneration compared with those who consumed the least. Beta-carotene can also split itself via an enzymatic reaction to form pro-vitamin A, which is often associated with antioxidant capacity in relation to vision. Therefore, carrots are an all-around vision booster.

IT TAKES CARE OF YOUR EYES

Carrots are excellent for the eyes, thanks to the presence of the abundant amounts of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A in the liver. This vitamin is converted in the retina to rhodopsin, a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta-carotene improves the night vision and protects against eye problems like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and senile cataracts. It is also helpful in treating night blindness. A study has proved that the consumption of beta-carotene reduces the risk of macular degeneration by 40%.

IT IMPROVES DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Carrots, like most vegetables, have significant amounts of dietary fiber in those orange roots, and fiber is one of the most important elements in maintaining good digestive health. Fiber adds bulk to stool, which helps it to pass smoothly through the digestive tract, and it also stimulates peristaltic motion and the secretion of gastric juices. Altogether, this reduces the severity of conditions like constipation and protects your colon and stomach from various serious illnesses, including colorectal cancer. Fiber also boosts heart health by helping to eliminate excess LDL cholesterol from the walls of arteries and blood vessels.

CARROTS ARE BOON FOR DIABETIC PATIENTS

Carrots are good for blood sugar regulation due to the presence of carotenoids in this delicious vegetable. Carotenoids inversely affect insulin resistance and thus lower blood sugar, thereby helping diabetic patients live a normal, healthy life. They also regulate the amount of insulin and glucose that is being used and metabolized by the body, providing a more even and healthy fluctuation for diabetic patients. Carrots have antiseptic qualities and can, therefore, be used as laxatives, vermicides and as a remedy for liver conditions. Carrot oil is good for dry skin because it makes the skin softer, smoother and firmer. Furthermore, carrot juice improves stomach and gastrointestinal health.

THEY ARE GOOD SOURCE OF CALCIUM

Very few of us are aware of the fact that carrots contain calcium that is vital for the growth and development of bones in children and women.

IT PREVENTS STROKE

Eating a carrot every day reduces the risk of stroke by 68%. Many studies have strengthened the belief in the “carrot effect” on the brain. Studies conducted on stroke patients revealed that those with highest levels of beta-carotene had the highest survival rate.

IT IMPROVES ORAL HEALTH

The organic compounds in carrots all by themselves are good for mineral antioxidants, but carrots also stimulate the gums and induce excess saliva. Saliva is an alkaline substance and combats the bacteria and foreign bodies that can often result in cavities, halitosis, and other oral health risks.

IT HAS ANTI-AGEING BENEFITS

Carrots also contain Vitamin C that aids the collagen production in the body. Collagen is a type of protein that is vital for the maintenance of the skin elasticity. It helps prevent wrinkles and locks the process of aging. Vitamin A, being an antioxidant, also attacks the free radicals to prevent the signs of aging like wrinkles, pigmentation and an uneven skin tone.

HELPS PREVENT INFECTION

Carrots are known by herbalists to prevent infection. They can be used on cuts—shredded raw or boiled and mashed.

IT HAS SUN PROTECTION PROPERTIES

Beta-carotene, found in carrots, is a skin-friendly nutrient that is converted to vitamin A inside the body. It helps in repairing the skin tissues and provides protection against the sun’s harsh rays. The antioxidants and carotenoids protect and condition the skin to increase its immunity against the sun and heal sunburns. In fact, the consumption of carrot juice in summer acts as a natural sunblock.

IT CLEANSES THE BODY

Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out the toxins from the body. It reduces the bile and fat in the liver. The fiber present in carrots helps clean out the colon and hasten waste movement.

TREATMENT OF SKIN AILMENTS

Carrots are effective in the prevention and cure of various skin ailments. The antioxidants in this vegetable can treat skin conditions like pimples and acne, rashes, dermatitis and other skin problems caused due to Vitamin A deficiency. However, keep in mind not to consume carrots in excess as they can cause your skin to temporarily turn yellowish-orange in color.

IT PROTECTS TEETH AND GUMS

It’s all in the crunch! Carrots clean your teeth and mouth. They scrape off plaque and food particles just like toothbrushes or toothpaste. Carrots stimulate gums and trigger a lot of saliva, which, being alkaline, balances out the acid-forming, cavity-forming bacteria. The minerals in carrots prevent tooth damage.

TREATMENT OF BLEMISHES

Drinking carrot juice is effective in getting rid of blemishes and scars. You can also apply carrot pulp on your skin to clear the blemishes.